Every day millions of believers ask an important question: what holiday is today in the Church calendar, what are the folk signs and customs, what is strictly forbidden on this day, whose name day is celebrated, and how to call down God’s blessing on the family through a strong prayer. September 6 is a special day in the Orthodox calendar (new calendar / Revised Julian): the Church celebrates the Commemoration of the Miracle of the Archangel Michael at Chonae (Colossae) — a great feast in honor of the Archangel Michael, when in the fourth century the Archistrategos saved a Christian church from destruction by a flood of waters. In folk tradition the feast has long been called Michael’s Miracle and considered a day of special help from the Archistrategos in every need. This guide explores the history of the miracle at Chonae, the significance of the Archangel Michael for the Church, the folk traditions of the day, and offers the canonical prayers to the Archistrategos.
1. The Orthodox Feast — the Miracle of the Archangel Michael at Chonae
The history of the feast goes back to the fourth century. In Phrygia, near the city of Colossae (the same to which the Apostle Paul wrote the Epistle to the Colossians), there was a healing spring dedicated to the Archistrategos Michael — its water healed the sick, and around the spring a church in honor of the Archangel Michael was built. At the church for decades served a pious man named Archippus: he never left the church, lived in fasting and prayer, personally served the pilgrims and converted many pagans to Christ by word and example. His life itself became the first testimony of the one he served.
When Archippus had grown old, the pagans, enraged by the success of the Christian church, planned to destroy it: they joined two mountain rivers into one stream and directed it straight at the church, so that the water would carry away the sanctuary. Archippus did not flee and was not troubled — he fell on his knees before the icon of the Archistrategos and began to pray fervently, begging for protection. And then, as the Church tradition recounts, the Archangel Michael appeared in the form of a warrior, struck the rock with his staff — and the rock split open, forming a deep chasm into which the whole stream rushed. The church remained unharmed, and the place has since been called Chonae, which means “funnel”, “opening” — for the earth swallowed the water as a funnel does. This miracle became one of the most famous testimonies of the intercession of the Heavenly Powers and for more than sixteen centuries has been commemorated by the Church on September 6.
2. Who Is the Archistrategos Michael and Why He Is Prayed To
The Archangel Michael is the first among the Archangels, the commander of the Heavenly Host. His name means “Who is like God?” — according to tradition, it was with this cry that Michael led the heavenly powers against the rebellious Lucifer and cast him down from heaven (cf. Rev. 12:7-9). In Scripture Michael is mentioned as the defender of the people of God: in the Book of the prophet Daniel he is called “the great prince who stands up for the children of your people” (Dan. 12:1), and in the Book of Revelation he fights against the dragon and defends the Church. In the Epistle of Jude it is Michael who disputes with the devil over the body of Moses (Jude 1:9).
The Church prays to the Archistrategos Michael above all for protection: from every evil, from the attacks of visible and invisible enemies, from natural disasters and war dangers, for help on the road and in service, for the guarding of home and family. In Ukraine the Archangel Michael is one of the most venerated heavenly patrons: his image stands on the coats of arms of many cities, countless churches have been built in his honor from Kyivan Rus’ to the present day, and the St. Michael’s Golden-Domed Cathedral in Kyiv is one of the spiritual hearts of the capital. Soldiers, rescuers and all who stand in defense of others consider the Archistrategos their heavenly patron.
3. The Catholic Feast — the Veneration of the Archangels
In the Roman Catholic Church the Archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael are solemnly honored on September 29, but the veneration of the Archangel Michael lives in the Western tradition every day: to him is dedicated the famous Prayer of Pope Leo XIII, which for centuries was read after every Mass: “Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle; be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil…” This prayer, written at the end of the nineteenth century after the Pope’s vision of the assault of evil powers upon the Church, has survived the centuries and is today experiencing a new revival in parishes all over the world. Thus September 6, when the East remembers the miracle at Chonae, reminds both branches of Christianity of one truth: the Church stands not by human power but by the intercession of the Heavenly Host.
4. What Is Forbidden on September 6 — Folk Signs and Customs
In the folk calendar September 6 is Michael’s Miracle, a feast long loved in Ukraine: on this day in many villages parish feasts took place where churches stood in honor of the Archistrategos. The main customs of the day: to pray to the Archangel Michael for the protection of home and family, to give alms to the needy — for the miracle at Chonae taught that kindness attracts heavenly grace — and to give thanks for every help received from God and people during the year. It was believed that on this day the Archistrategos especially hears the prayers of those who ask protection from the elements — floods, fires and thunder. Folk signs for September 6: clear and calm weather — a good end of summer and a warm first half of autumn; strong wind — a rainy autumn; morning frost — early frosts; many acorns on the oaks — a cold winter; cranes flying high and slowly — a long autumn.
What is forbidden on September 6: one must not quarrel or swear — the feast day dedicated to the Archistrategos teaches peace; one should not take up heavy work without necessity, for the day should be given to prayer and church; swearing, envy and wishing evil on one’s neighbor are forbidden; one must not refuse help to those who ask, especially travelers and the poor; by belief, one should not throw anything out of the house on this day, so as not to throw out prosperity. Instead, the day is best given to the Liturgy, prayer to the Archistrategos, almsgiving and peaceful family affairs.
5. The Spiritual Laws of Life: the Law of Thanksgiving and the Commandment of Love
The prayer life of a Christian obeys unshakable spiritual laws. The first is the law of thanksgiving and spiritual abundance. The Apostle Paul teaches: “In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thess. 5:18). The miracle at Chonae happened when old Archippus instead of panic chose prayer and thanksgiving — and the stream that was to destroy the church went into the chasm. So it is in our life: when instead of despair we choose trust, circumstances begin to obey faith. The second is the fulfilment of the Commandments of Love for God and neighbour (Mt. 22:37-39): Archippus for decades served the pilgrims without payment and without fame — and it was his quiet service that became the prayer which heaven could not but hear. Let us care this day for our neighbor even in a small thing — and our prayer will become strong like the prayer of Archippus.
6. Hesychast Watchfulness (Nepsis) and Prayer on the Rope
In Orthodox hesychasm and the Athonite tradition, spiritual watchfulness (nepsis) is the foundation of the soul’s salvation, and the Guardian Angels and the Heavenly Powers are the constant companions of him who watches over his heart. When our mind is attacked by thoughts of fear — of illness, war, the future — the hesychasts advise immediately cutting them off with the short, rhythmic prayer on the rope (komboskini), joining it with the invocation of the Heavenly Powers. A short prayer for the day:
Archistrategos of God Michael, commander of the Heavenly Powers, protect me from every evil visible and invisible, keep my home and my family, and entreat Christ God to save my soul.
7. The Power of Communal Prayer
Communal prayer has the promise of extraordinary power from the Lord Himself: “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them” (Mt. 18:20). Dear brothers and sisters! We invite you to join the prayer circle on Pray.ee. If you or your loved ones serve in defense of the country, work in rescue services, are on the road, go through illness, hardship or danger, or if you wish to pray for the protection of your home, write the names (for health and God’s protection) and your needs in the comments below. Our great Christian family will remember them daily in prayers before the Throne of God, asking the intercession of the Archistrategos Michael and all the Heavenly Host, peace for families and a good year.
8. A Living Testimony: Prayer to the Archistrategos
Parish chronicles and home testimonies preserve many stories of the intercession of the Archangel Michael. Stepan’s family from the Carpathian region tells one of them. Last summer, during a violent thunderstorm, lightning struck an old walnut tree a few meters from their house; the tree split and fell — but the trunk lay between the house and the barn without touching either building, though it fell straight onto the roof. “We were all at home and heard that thunder,” Stepan recalls. “And when we went out and saw exactly where the tree had fallen, mother only crossed herself and said: ‘The Archistrategos turned it away.’ The day before was the feast of Michael’s Miracle, and we had prayed as a family to the Archistrategos for the protection of our home.” The tree was sawn up a week later, and at the place where it should have fallen on the house Stepan placed a small icon of the Archangel Michael. “I do not know how to explain it by physics,” he says. “But I know that that evening we did not pray in vain.”
9. The Strongest Canonical Prayers of the Day
Troparion of the Miracle of the Archangel Michael at Chonae, Tone 4:
Archistrategos of the Heavenly Hosts, we beseech you, unworthy as we are, that you cover us with the shelter of the wings of your immaterial glory, protecting us who fall down and cry out: from every trouble deliver us, O Prince of the Powers on high.
Prayer for the Protection of Home and Family (home prayer of the day)
Archistrategos of God Michael! As you once at Chonae stopped the flood of waters that was to destroy the church of God, so stop and turn away from our home every calamity — fire and water, thunder and lightning, theft and enemy assault, every illness and every evil. Surround our family with the shelter of your wings, keep our children in every place, and give us courage to defend goodness and gentleness of heart, so that we, protected by you, may glorify the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
10. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the miracle of the Archangel Michael at Chonae?
In the fourth century in Phrygia the pagans directed a stream from two rivers at the church of the Archangel Michael to destroy the sanctuary. At the prayer of the pious Archippus the Archangel Michael struck the rock with his staff — the water went into the chasm, and the church remained unharmed. The place was called Chonae (“opening”), and the miracle is commemorated by the Church on September 6 by the new calendar (September 19 by the old).
What is prayed for to the Archistrategos Michael?
The Archistrategos Michael is prayed to for protection from every evil visible and invisible, from natural disasters and war dangers, for help on the road and in service, for the guarding of home and family. He is considered the heavenly patron of soldiers, rescuers and all who defend others.
Whose name day is September 6?
On the day of Michael’s Miracle the Michaels and those who bear the names of the saints of this day celebrate their name days. The chief feast of the Archangel Michael — the Synaxis of the Bodiless Heavenly Powers — is celebrated by the Church on November 8 by the new calendar.
Why is the feast called Michael’s Miracle?
The folk name “Michael’s Miracle” comes from the miracle at Chonae itself — the saving of the church by the Archistrategos Michael. In Ukraine the feast has long been specially honored: churches were built in its honor, parish feasts were held, and people prayed to the Archistrategos for protection from the elements and wars.
11. Sources
1. Michael the Archangel: image and veneration in Christian tradition — Wikipedia article: en.wikipedia.org (Michael the Archangel).
2. Prayer of Pope Leo XIII to Saint Michael — Wikipedia article: en.wikipedia.org (Prayer to Saint Michael).
3. 6 вересня: чудо Архистратига Михаїла в Хонах — Ukrainian-language version of this article: pray.ee (6 вересня).